Things to Remember Week of 1-3-16

11:00
We started 11:00 church this week!  We were all so excited to sleep in that we SLEPT IN!!  Nobody got up until 9:00!  Which is about the same as us waking up at 7:00 before, which ended up working, but really didn't give us any extra time to get ready.  But it did work.  We were on time and in our seats ready to go- felt good- felt like the early days of the new block arrangement.  I love 11:00 church!  The one downside though, at least for the next couple weeks, until Nate can bid is that he has to leave church early.  He had to bring Molly to me at 1:30.  It wasn't ideal taking her to YW, and in fact, unless I'm teaching or something, I think I'll just leave and go out into the hall, because I absolutely HATE having babies in YW.  It's just not meant to be.  So anyway.  Everything else was great :). 1-3-16

SUNBEAMS
Jack went to Sunbeams for the first time!!  He was very nervous and I think because of some of the other crying kids, even cried a little.  Not much and Nate offered to stand in the back while he got used to it.  He was okay with that, but kept his eyes glued on Nate!  Nate was able to sneak out eventually but Jack totally called him on it that night when Nate got home from work :).  It was pretty cute.  He did really good though without him there, so now he knows he's okay :).  He was smiling when we picked him up :), that's all that matters.  I still can't believe he's old enough for Primary!!  My baby boy is growing up!  1-3-16

POTTY TRAIN
Jack boarded the potty train at the end of last week, doing his best to eek out a few drops of pee.  We took a little break over the weekend and then got right back on it this week since we were all out of diapers (always a good idea to not have ANY nearby!).  He sure made a huge comeback with this time around!!  He was right on it, only had a couple accidents, even POOPED!!!  Only took about four days to get him fully trained!  This is awesome!  He is totally going on his own now!  I don't even have to help him pull his pants up or down!  Such a big boy!  He was very motivated by the treats.  I think that was the kicker.  He also had his buddy, Daddy's support through it all.  I think that really helped this time.  He is good for me, but he was really good for Nate!  It was fun to call Nate the second time he went.  I can't believe we're "done" with this milestone for him!!  He's even had mostly dry nights!  How strange that we only have to potty-train one more kid!  Way to go Jack Jack!!!  He really blew this one out of the park!  1-6-16

MAKING COOKIES
Jack, out of the blue, asked me if we could make cookies on Wednesday.  The funny thing was that I was totally craving some chocolate chip cookies after looking at my fb memories, exactly 6 years ago we were doing the same thing :).  So he and I made cookies together.  I think his favorite part was cracking the eggs for the first time ever!  He did great too!  I wish I'd gotten some pictures of him taste testing everything.  "Mom I tase?"  1-6-16

BIRTHDAY TABLE FOR NOAH
Friday was a fun, big day!  We had a lot on our schedule, but it was all fun stuff :).  We found out Wednesday that it was going to be birthday tables on Friday and of course Noah requested Pizza Pie Cafe- this is everyone's favorite because we get the Oreo Dessert Pizza- and let me just say that if it was just me on these days, I don't think this would happen, but since Nate is home- it's a lot of fun to spoil the kids with it :).  We had a crazy operation GROC (errand) to run, picked up Kindergartners, then headed down to Bountiful for PPC.  Then we dashed back up to pick up Kate and Will (we got to babysit them for Emily's first appointment- yay! and when I offered to let Noah just pick Nate or I so that he wouldn't have to share his moment with everyone, he was totally offended- OF COURSE he didn't care if everyone came!!!  That's more fun!!  Silly me), and then we were off to the school for birthday tables!  It was very exciting for everyone!  I do have to laugh about this funny thing: when we walked up to the stage, over to the table that Noah was saving for us, everyone sat down at the table and then all four of the littles (Erika, Jack, Kate, and Will) all started coughing!  Intermittently of course, staggered just right so that there was constant coughing for about 2 minutes :).  I totally just busted up laughing of course.  It was too funny to be embarrassed :).  I think it was just the cold air as we walked in, but HA!  Couldn't have sounded funnier :).  I loved it.  I got to sit by Noah and had some fun talking about his day and what he is looking forward to about his birthday and baptism.  This is such a special birthday, I'm so excited he is getting baptized finally!  I think he is one of the most ready of our kids.  I'm so proud of him and the choices he is already making.  1-8-16

CHOPPED PIZZAS
Just needed to document this- Luke had chosen pizzas for dinner for his night (Friday) and I had this crazy idea to do CHOPPED PIZZAS!! Just like the old days!  It surprised me that it even came to me.  Luke was totally fine with it and Nate was literally counting down the days til we would have them :).  So cute.  It's kind of just nostalgic for me.  Reminds me of the old, simpler days.  The ones that made our family what it is today.  We used to have them at least once a week!  Probably got sick of them :).  You take the white Texas style Rhodes dough, thaw them.  Then using two rolls, smushed together, plop all the toppings (grape tomatoes-which we rarely used cuz Nate hates them, ham and pepperoni, green onions, and shredded cheese) on top.  Then you take a knife and just chop them up!  Pushing the toppings down into the dough.  Bake them as usual.  SO delicious!  So Friday while I was having the worst headache I think I've ever had, Nate helped Luke make them.  They turned out perfect!  Til next time :).  1-8-16

UNO
We had a bit of a game night Friday night.  We decided to play UNO.  We never play UNO so it was new and exciting :).  We played one round of regular and then a round of CRAZY UNO.  It was SO MUCH FUN!!!  I still can't get over how much fun it was!  Everyone was getting into it and just having so much fun.  Luke was an animal and couldn't contain himself most of the time :).  He and Noah kind of bounced off the walls through most of it :).  Bradley too.  Kelly was being a cool pre-teen through it all, but I know she was having a good time.  Erika beat us all of course and then we spent another hour waiting to have a second place winner! It was me :).  Thanks to Charity who picked up Molly and rocked her during the last half of that game, I was able to play it out.  Thank you, Charity!  It was just such a fun time.  These moments are the ones I live for!!  Made my headache more bearable!  1-8-16

SATURDAY!!
I slept in.
We played tetris while Nate and Noah went shopping for his baptism suit.
We went to Bradley and Luke's basketball game where they played their little hearts out totally shut down the other team in the second half, but didn't quite pull off a win.  I love watching them play though!
I set up my portrait studio and took a few pictures (who am I kidding, I think I took a thousand pictures.  I'm hoping at least one or two of Molly and Noah (not together) turned out... we'll see.  Took me three hours total though!  WOW!
Helped Noah make grilled cheese sandwiches which he loves to make :).
Watched some movies.

Danced around to some of my old favorites while we did secret scrap!
Got some donuts to celebrate Jack's potty win.
Watched part of another movie while showering and doing mealtime jobs and planning our weekly meals and shopping online (yes, I'm still doing the pick-up grocery method- I'm HOOKED!).
Read scriptures, got everyone in bed.
Planned the produce order (for a measley 13 people, bummer).
Finally called it a night at 10:00!!  Holy Moly!!  I'm exhausted.
1-9-16